Advancing Wireless Through Physically-Consistent Modeling and Analysis

Abstract:

Electromagnetic (EM) phenomena have far-reaching implications on wireless communication performance. Now is the time for theory that reflects recent trends in wireless system design. In this talk, I showcase how physically-consistent models are the key to gaining new insights into wireless communication. First, I present novel approaches in safely mitigating user exposure to EM radiation through adaptive signal processing.  I describe the concept of a signal-level exposure model and then show how it can be leveraged for exposure-aware transmission. I then discuss reconfigurable antennas in the context of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication. My results demonstrate that reconfigurability promotes beneficial channel conditions and enables high-performing, low-power architectures. In the last part of the talk, I present my research on EM-based antenna array modeling. The proposed array model fully captures non-ideal effects such as polarization and mutual coupling, and it can be exploited for both far-field and near-field beamforming with realistic antennas. I conclude by describing how this research fits in my vision for future generations of wireless systems. 

Biography:

Rodrigo Castellanos is a postdoctoral research scholar at NC State University. He received BS (with highest distinction) and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 2015 and 2020, respectively. His research interests include massive MIMO, near-field communication, antenna theory, exposure-constrained communication, and signal processing. Castellanos serves as a reviewer for several top-tier journals and was an Exemplary Reviewer of the IEEE Wireless Communications Letters in 2018.  He coauthored a paper that was the recipient of the 2022 Fred W. Ellersick MILCOM Best Paper Award and the 2022 Vanu Bose Best Paper Award.